Here Nothing Is Free

I recently had the mixed pleasure of spending a few nights in the Argent Hotel (recently bought by the Westin), a rather nice edifice located in downtown San Francisco. In the month of December, the hotel had really attractive rates – I guess in the big scheme of things, it makes sense that not many people travel to San Francisco for the holidays. It’s sort of a “while you’re young” kind of town, and I imagine most people rush off back to their family homelands when the holiday season arrives.

But being from the bay area, I found myself back in San Francisco for a few days and needing accommodation. Right next to the BART, clean rooms, courteous staff, what more could I ask for?

Not being reamed left and right with nickel-and-dime bullshit.

Honor-bar fridge: No personal use.
Each local telephone call: $1.
One two minute domestic long-distance call: $9. (!!!)
Wall-tethered internet access: $15/day.
Reminding oneself to finally remember to call ahead and check on this bullshit: slight comfort, at best.

I will not rent rooms from nickel-and-diming bastard hotels.
I will not rent rooms from nickel-and-diming bastard hotels.
I will not rent rooms from nickel-and-diming bastard hotels.

Oh yeah, The Westin. They ripped me off in Chicago, too. Hopefully I’ll be more careful next time.

“I drank from a faucet, and I kept my receipt
For when they weigh me on the way out, here nothing is free.”

Death Cab For Cutie – Why You’d Want To Live Here

The best (i.e. worst) part about the Argent was the sign on the honor-bar fridge. They meant to say “We can’t let you use this refrigerator for personal items, because we don’t make any money off of that.” Instead, they insulted my intelligence (and all 666 other guests – no joke), with the statement: Please do not place your personal items in the Refreshment Center, as they may spoil. They might as well shut off access to the bath and bed, as my skin might melt off in a freak chemical accident, too.

No way to to treat a customer. We pay the big sum of money up front, so we don’t have to pay the bullshit money as we go.